Paintbrush with adjustable bristle width, length, angle and shape

ABSTRACT

A paintbrush with adjustable bristle width, length, angle and/or shape that allows the user to configure the shape of the application surface as desired, thus eliminating the need for painters to utilize multiple traditional paintbrushes with different bristle configurations for different size and shaped surfaces being painted. The invention includes multiple bristle pack segments, elongated guideways, finger adjustment knobs, finger knob slide slots, and a brush slide body housing wherein the mechanisms for adjusting the length of the individual bristle pack segments are contained; is scalable, wherein different overall sizes and widths of paintbrushes can be manufactured which retain the unique adjustability of the invention; can be manufactured with or without a handle, allowing the invention to utilize a wide variety of handles of various materials, sizes and shapes which can be affixed to the bristle slide body housing; is not limited to a specific number of bristle pack segments, elongated guideways and finger knob slide slots; is not limited to specific sized bristle pack segments, elongated guideways and finger knob slide slots; is suitable for manufacturing using various materials; is siutabe for manufacturing utilizing various bristle materials (e.g., Black China, White China, Ox Hair, synthetic materials, etc.); may be modified for use with a self-feeding paint mechanism; is not limited to the purpose of applying paint; is suitable for applying coatings including paint; may be manufactured in various colors; may be manufactured using various graphics.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/339,064 filed May 19, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to paintbrushes used for painting interior and exterior surfaces and more specifically it relates to a paintbrush which allows the user to continuously adjust the shape of the paintbrush bristles to better match the paintbrush's application surface to the shape of the surface to be painted, thus eliminating the need for painters to utilize multiple paintbrushes with different size and shaped bristle configurations for different shaped surfaces being painted, as well as new shapes that have yet to be addressed by traditional paintbrushes.

This invention relates to the field of paintbrushes and, more specifically, to an adjustable paintbrush that allows the user to adjust the width, length, angle and shape of the bristle's application surface to better match the surface being painted.

Paintbrushes have been used for hundreds of years to paint surfaces including the interior or exterior surfaces of a home, business or other structures. Paintbrushes typically are comprised of a handle which the user holds with his or her hand and a brush head that contains the bristles that are used to retain and spread the paint.

Traditionally, paintbrushes are manufactured with a fixed bristle width, length, angle and shape. Often, a painter needs to paint a surface that has an unusual shape, or a surface that has a smaller width than a standard paintbrush, or otherwise requires an angled shape to the bristles portion of the paintbrush to allow for a better application of paint to the desired surface.

For example; paintbrushes with bristles that are cut at an angle are often used to more easily and accurately apply a coat of paint at a corner joint where a wall meets a ceiling, as they are more effective than a paintbrush without an angled shape to the bristles' application surface.

Additionally, paintbrushes for interior and exterior painting have not been available with different bristle application surface shapes that can conform to non-flat or angled surfaces, such as drain spouts and pipes.

Most importantly, with traditional paintbrushes, the user does not have any options for adjusting the width, length, angle or shape of the paintbrush bristles' application surface to allow for a neat and controlled application of paint to the surface being painted.

This requires the painter to maintain and utilize multiple paintbrushes of different sizes, widths and bristle configurations.

This also requires the painter to switch paintbrushes as needed to more closely match the profile of the surfaces being painted. This takes additional time and can also result in wasted paint.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are numerous adjustable paintbrush devices. For example, Canadian Pat. No. 2,111,262 to Herbowi; Canadian Pat. No. 1,220,448 to Smith; German Pat. No. DE 198 37 988 A1 to Perabo; U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,016 to Carpenter; U.S. Pat. No. 2,629,125 A to Ferguson; U.S. Pat. No. 2,509,013 A to Parks; U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,348 A to Horton are illustrative of such prior art.

The prior art regarding adjustable paintbrushes include variations on the traditional paintbrush in which the construction of the paintbrush head and/or handle are adjustable to various angles, to assist a painter in reaching difficult places such as corners, nooks and crannies or to simply make the painting chore more easily performed. As a result, various adjustable paintbrush designs exist in which the paintbrush head is attached to a handle in adjustable orientations. Other prior art relates to adjustable and/or replaceable bristle segments for renewing the bristles, prolonging the life of the paintbrush, and/or allowing for cleaning of the bristles.

Herbowi (Canadian Patent No. 2,111,262) discloses a paintbrush having an adjustable head. The head can be tilted through various angles about an axis which extends generally perpendicularly to the handle. However, the shape of the actual bristles in the brush head, which form the overall application surface of the paintbrush, are not adjustable. The same comments apply to numerous other adjustable paintbrushes, such as the paintbrushes disclosed in Smith (Canadian Patent No. 1,220,448); Perabo (German Patent No. DE 198 37 988 A1); and Piombino (EP 0 541 138 A1).

Carpenter (U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,016), discloses a paintbrush having brush segments that allow for one of two fixed brush width configurations (i.e., full width or half width) and one of two fixed brush thickness configurations (i.e., full thickness or half thickness). Whereas our invention allows the painter to continuously adjust each bristle pack segment's length, allowing the painter to adjust the overall shape of the brush's application surface (i.e., width, length, angle and/or shape), via finger adjustment knobs on each bristle pack segment. This allows the painter to specifically match the brush's overall application surface profile to the profile of the surface being painted. Additionally, our invention does not require the manual disassembly and reassembly of the brush segments to change the brush configuration. Instead, the painter can continuously adjust the brush's profile (i.e., width, length, angle and/or shape), as desired, at any time, by moving the finger adjustment knobs to form the desired overall shape of the brush's application surface.

Ledingham (European Patent No. EP 0735834 B1) discloses a paintbrush with a replaceable bristle pack assembly which can be removed and replaced with a new bristle pack assembly, thereby prolonging the life of the paintbrush handle. Whereas our invention utilizes multiple adjustable bristle pack segments which can be individually adjusted for the purpose of forming various shapes to the paintbrush's application surface.

Ferguson (U.S. Pat. No. 2,629,125 A) discloses paintbrush including a plurality of bristle supporting heads that may be disassembled, facilitating the brush to be arranged in various widths to be used for different types of work. Ferguson's invention requires manual disassembly/reassembly of the bristle segments in order to form the desired width of the application surface. Whereas our invention allows for the continuous adjustment of the paintbrush application surface's width, as well as the length, angle and/or shape of the paintbrush's application surface. Additionally, our invention allows for such adjustments to be made continuously as desired by the painter, without any need for disassembly or reassembly of the paintbrush bristle segments.

Adams (U.S. Pat. No. USRE17446 E) discloses a paintbrush in which the bristles “may be renewed as desired” by allowing for the removal and replacement of bristle segments which have become unduly worn. Whereas our invention utilizes continuously adjustable bristle pack segments for the purpose of adjusting the width, length angle and/or shape of the paintbrush's application surface.

Parks (U.S. Pat. No. 2,509,013 A) discloses a paintbrush with detachable brush sections which “may be interchangeably used in the same brush handle, and which heads may be made up of various number of ‘brush head’ sections or laminations as required or desired for any particular use”, which also facilitates “removal of a brush head therefrom and the separation of the laminations making up the head for quick and effective cleaning of the bristles.” Whereas our invention utilizes continuously adjustable bristle pack segments for the purpose of adjusting the width, length, angle and/or shape of the paintbrush's application surface, without the need for manually adding or removing “detachable brush sections”.

Horton (U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,348 A) discloses a paintbrush with an extendable bristle bundle that may be advanced by “pulling out the exposed bristles”, then cutting them off to renew the brush. Additionally, “a plurality of individual brushes may be ganged to provide a larger brush.” Whereas our invention utilizes a plurality of continuously adjustable bristle pack segments for the purpose of adjusting the width, length, angle and/or shape of the paintbrush's application surface. Furthermore, the many different configurations of the brush head in our invention are all adjustable at any time by the user, through the use of the individual bristle pack segment's finger adjustment knobs.

While the aforementioned inventions may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, the inventors have determined that there remains a need for a paintbrush which allows the painter to continuously adjust the application surface's shape for various configurations useful for different painting applications (i.e., adjustable bristle width, length, angle and/or shape).

By utilizing paintbrushes that can easily be adjusted to match the bristle configuration in the brush head to the desired bristle width, length, angle and/or shape of the application surface while the painter is actually painting, the painter will save time, effort, and the costs of maintaining a selection of many different paintbrushes with different bristle width, lengths, angles and/or shapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of adjustable paintbrushes now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new adjustable paintbrush construction wherein the same can be utilized to change the bristle's width, length, angle and/or shape as needed to adjust the paintbrush's application surface to match the profile of the surface being painted.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new adjustable paintbrush that has many of the advantages of the adjustable paintbrushes mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new adjustable paintbrush which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art adjustable paintbrushes, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises individual bristle pack segments which are adjustable in length utilizing finger adjustment knobs which slide the bristle pack segments within elongated guideways contained within the brush slide body housing. By adjusting the length of the bristle pack segments, the user can change the overall paintbrush bristle application surface shape to best match the size, and/or shape, and/or profile of the surface to be painted.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a paintbrush whereby the user can change the overall shape of the paintbrush's application surface to best match the profile of the surface to be painted.

Another object is to provide the ability to adjust the application surface of the paintbrush via user accessible finger adjustment knobs which adjust the length of the individual bristle packs to form the desired width, length, angle and/or shape of the application surface.

An additional object is to allow the user to save the time and effort required to change brushes for different painting requirements on the same job, which includes; climbing up and down ladders and cleaning the different paintbrushes involved.

A further object is to provide the user with a single paintbrush solution for multiple purposes, thereby avoiding the costs associated with purchasing multiple paintbrushes for different painting requirements.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top/side exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top/side perspective view of one of the bristle pack segments with the finger adjustment knob affixed to the bristle block.

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention, illustrating one of many possible settings (e.g., angle sash brush).

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the present invention, illustrating one of many possible settings (e.g., inside corner sash brush).

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the present invention, illustrating one of many possible settings (e.g., specialty brush).

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the present invention, illustrating one of many possible settings (e.g., flat wall brush).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate an adjustable paintbrush which comprises a bristle slide body housing wherein the mechanisms for adjusting the length of the individual bristle pack segments are contained.

Each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 comprises bristles 8, secured to the bristle block 7, with a finger adjustment knob 6 attached perpendicular to the bristle block 7 through the corresponding finger knob slide slot 4 contained within the brush slide body housing 3.

Each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 is adjustable in length utilizing a finger adjustment knob 6, affixed to the bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8 through the corresponding finger knob slide slot 4, which slides the bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8 within the corresponding elongated guideway 5 contained within the brush slide body housing 3.

Each finger knob slide slot 4 in each elongated guideway 5 within the brush slide body housing 3 allows each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 to be individually adjusted by movement of the finger adjustment knob 6 affixed to each bristle block segment 6, 7, 8.

By adjusting the length of the bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8, the user can change the overall paintbrush bristle application surface 9 shape to best match the size, and/or shape, and/or profile of the surface to be painted.

The adjustability of the overall bristle application surface 9 width, length, angle and/or shape is accomplished via adjusting the positions of the individual bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8 within their corresponding elongated guideway 5 contained within the blush slide body housing 3.

Each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 can individually be moved inward and outward within its corresponding elongated guideway 5 contained within the brush slide body housing 3 by movement of the finger adjustment knob 6 affixed to the bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 through the finger slide slot 4 of the corresponding elongated guideway 5 contained within the brush slide body housing 3.

Each bristle block 7 and its corresponding elongated guideway 5 work together to serve as a resistive slide assembly that maintains the user adjusted position of said bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 in place, after adjustment.

Additional methods may be utilized to maintain the position of each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 within the corresponding elongated guideway 5 after adjustment, such as a linear ratchet mechanism comprising of a pawl or detent affixed to each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 and a corresponding linear rack within each elongated guideway 5.

Each bristle pack segment's finger adjustment knob 6 allow the user to move each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 within each elongated guideway 5 within the brush slide body housing 3.

The paintbrush application surface 9 width, length, angle and/or shape is adjusted by sliding each individual bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 within its corresponding elongated guideway 5 to form the desired overall shape of the application surface 9 to best match the width and/or profile of the surface to be painted.

The invention may be manufactured with a paintbrush handle 1 or may be comprised of bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8, elongated guideways 5, finger knob slide slots 4 within the brush slide body housing 3 without said handle 1, allowing for many handle options to affixed to the brush slide block 3 which may be accomplished utilizing screws 2 or other fastening methods.

The invention may be manufactured with a paintbrush handle 1 which may be attached to the brush slide body housing 3 utilizing screws or other fastening methods.

The invention is scalable, to where it may be manufactured with different sized bristle packs segments 6, 7, 8, different sized elongated guideways 5, different sized finger adjustment slide slots 4 and a different sized brush slide body housing 3.

The invention may also be manufactured with differing numbers of; elongated guideways 5; finger knob slide slots 4; and bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8, all of which utilize the same overall design elements that allow for the adjustability of the bristle application surface 9 width, length, angle and/or shape.

The invention's design applies equally well to paintbrushes manufactured with different bristle 8 materials (e.g., Black China, White China, Ox Hair, synthetic materials etc.).

The invention's design applies equally well to paintbrushes manufactured with different types of material used for the paintbrush handle 1, (e.g., different types of wood, plastic, metal, etc.).

The invention's design allows for various different materials to be used for manufacturing the components.

This invention is applicable for—but not limited to—painting building interiors and exteriors (homes, apartments, businesses, etc.) including widow frames, trim, drain spouts and other surfaces that can be difficult to paint using traditional paintbrushes with fixed shapes to the bristle application surface.

The invention is equally applicable for applying coatings including but not limited to paint.

The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured in various colors.

The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with various external graphics. 

We claim:
 1. An adjustable paintbrush comprising: a brush slide body housing wherein the mechanisms for adjusting the length of the individual bristle pack segments are contained; a brush slide body housing with; an opening at the bottom in which a handle may be attached; a plurality of hollow elongated guideways with openings at the top of the brush slide body housing; finger knob slide slot openings on the front of each elongated guideway. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein a plurality individual bristle pack segments comprising a bristle pack secured to a bristle block and a finger adjustment knob affixed to the bristle pack segment through a finger knob slide slot opening on the corresponding elongated guideway within the brush slide body housing. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein each bristle pack segment can be moved forward or backward within each individual bristle block segment's elongated guideway to a user selected position by movement of the finger adjustment knob. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the movement of each individual bristle pack segment is limited by the upper and lower ends of its corresponding finger knob slide slot being contacted by the bristle pack segment finger adjustment knob. An adjustable paintbrush as in claim 1, wherein each bristle pack segment and its corresponding elongated guideway work together to serve as a resistive slide assembly that maintains the position of each bristle pack segment within its corresponding elongated guideway after user adjustment. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the overall shape of the application surface is accomplished by the combined user adjustments of the positions of each individual bristle pack segment to more closely match the profile of the surface to be painted. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein differing methods may be utilized to maintain the user selected position of each bristle pack segment within the corresponding elongated guideway after adjustment. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein one possible differing method for maintaining the user selected position of each bristle pack segment within the corresponding elongated guideway after adjustment comprises; a linear ratchet mechanism utilizing a pawl or detent affixed to each bristle pack segment and a matching linear rack within each corresponding elongated guideway. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the design is scalable, whereby different overall sized paintbrushes can be manufactured which retain the unique adjustability of the invention. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with or without a handle, allowing the invention to utilize a wide variety of handles of various materials, sizes and shapes, which can be affixed to the bottom of the brush slide body housing The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with differing numbers of bristle pack segments, elongated guideways and finger knob slide slots. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with different sizes and lengths of bristle pack segments, elongated guideways and finger knob slide slots. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the design is suitable for manufacturing using various materials. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention's design applies equally well to paintbrushes manufactured with different bristle materials (e.g., Black China, White China, Ox Hair, synthetic materials, etc.). The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the design may be modified for use with a self-feeding paint mechanism. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention is not limited to the purpose of applying paint. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention is suitable for applying coatings including paint. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured in various colors. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with various external graphics. 